Central Montana Medical Center has received a US$6 million grant for the new cancer center that will be coming up in the Lewistown Hospital. The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust helped fund the almost US$8.9 million project that will offer quality cancer care for almost 50,000 residents across the nine rural counties of Montana. The new cancer center will ease the burden and strain off families who travel up to 350 kilometers multiple days a week for radiation treatments, diagnoses, and other services in Great Falls or Billings.
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The medical center is teaming up with Billings Clinic Cancer Center to hire a part-time and full-time oncologist and a linear accelerator machine and will cover US$1.9 million for the cancer center, and the CMMC Foundation will host a community capital campaign to cover the remaining US$1 million. Construction for the new cancer center is expected to begin in spring 2022 and is expected to open in summer 2023. The foundation recently wrapped up a capital campaign, raising US$570,000 for two pieces of 3D mammography and breast biopsy equipment.
“Billings Clinic is honored to assist through the Billings Clinic Cancer Center in order to keep cancer care close to home for residents of central Montana. The goal is for people in Lewistown and the surrounding areas to stay close to home, near their loved ones and support systems while receiving this critically important care,” said Dr. Clint Seger, regional chief medical officer for Billings Clinic. “I appreciate the CMMC Foundation’s great success of the 3D Mammography capital campaign. The Cancer Center fundraising will dovetail in nicely,” said Cody Langbehn, Central Montana Medical Center’s CEO.
“The Helmsley Charitable Trust has a made a distinct commitment to strengthen healthcare in rural locations, and access to cancer care services is a well-documented need in the Lewistown area. We know how important it is to receive great care close to home where family and friends can provide much-needed support. We are excited to see this project take shape.” said Walter Panzirer, a Helmsley trustee.
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